Common Causes of Hearing Loss

Damage to the inner ear

Aging and prolonged exposure to loud noise may cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. When these hairs or nerve cells are damaged or missing, electrical signals aren’t transmitted as efficiently, and hearing loss occurs. Higher pitched tones may become muffled to you. It may become difficult for you to pick out words against background noise. Heredity may make you more prone to these changes. This type of hearing loss is known as sensorineural hearing loss, which is permanent.

A gradual buildup of earwax

Earwax can block the ear canal and prevent the conduction of sound waves. Earwax blockage can be a cause of hearing loss among people of all ages. This can cause a conductive hearing loss, which usually can be treated with earwax removal.

Once past the age of 25, our hearing starts declining

In fact, hearing loss is the 2nd most common health issue in the world. The number of people with hearing loss is more than those living with Parkinson’s, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes combined.

Hearing loss has also been associated with cognitive decline, dementia, depression, hospitalization, and heart disease, among other diseases and conditions. Just how fast hearing declines can be impacted by other factors such as: genetics, over-exposure to loud noises, certain diseases or medications, and injury or trauma to the ear or head.